Grenade and method of creating pressure therein



March 17, 1,925.

G. S. MAXWELL GRENADE AND METHOD OF CREATING PRESSURE THEREIN Filed April 25, 1925 Patented Mar. 17; 1925.

UNHTED GEORGE S. MAXWELL, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBI.

GRENADE AND METHOD 0F CREATING PRESSURE THERE-IN.

Application med April 28, 1923. Serial No. 634,075.

To all whom t may concern.'4 c

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. MAXWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, in thev District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grenades and Methods of Creating Pressure Therein; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures 'of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to containers or grenades containing a li uid to be ejected by pressure produced wit in the container. It has for its objects, primarily, the creation of pressure in a container Within limits of safety by ignition of a gas producing substance in the container; and further the ejection of a liquid from a container by -pressure produced by gas generated 1n the container by an ignitable gas producing substance ignited in the container so as to create sufficient pressure within the container for ejection of its contents without rupturing or shattering the container. Also to provide features-in a container or handgrenade which will contribute to the life of the container without the necessity of replacement of parts after va comparatively protracted storage of the grenades, and by which safety in the use of the containers will be insured and their efficiency and scope of operation will be increased.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and suoli other objects as may hereinafter appear the invention consists in the method and in the means hereinafter particularly described and then sought to .be clearly defined by the claims, reference being had-to the accompanying drawing forming apart hereof, and in which- Figure l is aside elevation of'a grenade, partly in section;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the grenade shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a grenade, partly in section, showing a modified method of constructing the grenade;

Figure 4 is a partial view of a grenade,

`partly in section, showing a modified 'ture generated by the bursting charge.

I am aware that devices for atomizing or spraying liquids, paint, cement and other fluid or semi-uid substances b compressed air have been devise In these, however, the com ressed air is contained in a vessel or contamer that' is separate from the vessel containino` the liquid that is t0-be sprayed or atomize the compressed air being carried from its container to the liquid container by means of suitable piping and valves.

I am also aware that lire extinguishers are made in which carbon dioxide gas is generated in the body of the extinguisher by a mixture of an acid and an alkaline carbonate in the presence of water, and the gas pressure generated by the chemical reaction of the acid and alkaline carbonate in the presence of water is used to force the water containing carbon dioxide in solution from the ejecting nozzle of Athe lire extinguisher.

I am not aware, however, that means for creating a safe predetermined pressure within a container by means of an ignitable gas producing compound have lheretofore been devised or constructed. Nor am I aware thatpressures so generated have been used for any purpose or to produce any useful results. v

In hand grenades, as at present constructed, the contents are set free or scattered by mea-ns of a bursting charge that is of suiicient strength to completely shatter the walls of the grenade and atomize or vaporize the liquid charge of gas or other material contained in the grenade. Grenadesof the explosive type do not. deliver the full eiiiciency of the contained liquid charge, as a .large portion lof the liquid is chemically changed by the high tempera- A large portion of the liquid charge is also driven into the ground or surrounding objects by the violence of the explosion. They are unsuited for peace time uses, for the capture of barricated criminals, the suppression of riots, the control of mobs, etc., where humanitarian reasons require the aecomplishment ofthe object desired without danger of mutilation or death.

The grenades, as at present .constructepdl are also unsatisfactory owing to the spring which operates the firing mechanism being means of wana primer and have to be reconditioned. They A are dangerous to load with the primer detonator or bursting charge. In some types of grenades the fuse is ignited while still in i the explosion of the grenade before the user has time to throw it after-starting the burning of the fuse. In addition to the above ob- 'the user of the grenade.

jectionable features must be added the dan-V ing or ejecting-nozzle is assembled with relation to the body of the grenade. This rotation or rocking of the grenade causes the ejected liquid charge to be distributed over a wider area than is possible with a grenade of the explosive type, and insures the full eiiciency of the grenade.

In operation the4 grenade is gripped in the hand in the same manner as a ball about to be thrown, the striker of the grenade is cocked and held in that position by the thumb of the' holding hand, the safety pin ger of fire when grenades with bursting of the grenade is then withdrawn by the charges are thrown into buildings or\free hand when the grenade is ready to be amongst combustible matter.

In the grenade which I haveinvented,

the above'objections have been overcome in an extremely simple and efficient manner.

VThere is no danger o-f mutilation or death 'from flying fragments.

There is no danger of starting a fire. The full efficiency of the liquid charge of the grenade is secured as none of it is altered by a high temperature of explosion, nor driven into the ground or surrounding objectsby a violent explosion. Consequently there is no danger to It is safe to load or store, as the primer cap is not assembled with the fuse until the grenade is to be put into use. Its striker spring cannot lose its resiliency and become set, as it is never under compression until lthe grenade is put into use.

The above desirable features in a hand grenade are obtained in my invention by causing a safe increase in the pressure in the interior of the grenade by means of A a gas generating compound that is capable of being ignited or set in operation by means of a primer cap and fuse; the increase in pressure in the interior of the grenade acting on its liquid charge forces the liquidv charge through an atomizing or spraying tube into the outside surrounding air. By safe increase in pressure is meant a nonexplosive pressure such as will not disrupt and shatter the grenade by the force of explosion within the grenade. By creating a pressure within limits suicient to eject the contents without shattering the grenade by a forcible explosion within the grenade a very material degree of safety as well as other advantages enumeratedv is provided. The eiiiciency lof the distribution of the ejected sprayed or atomized liquid charge is largely increased by the novel method of constructing the body of the grenade with a weighted bottom and discharging the liquid charge from the top of the grenade. The result of this method of construction is that the ejected liquid charge collides against the surrounding air and the resultant reaction causes the grenade to wobble, rock or rotate in a manner that is dependent on the angle at which the atomizthrown. The instant the grenade leaves the hand thestriker being released from the pressure of the thumb of the throwing hand, is instantly snapped against the grenade primer by its actuating spring and causes the primer to detonate and ignite a time time t allow time for the grenade to reach its target before expelling its liquid charge. `When the burning of the -time fuse reaches the gas producing agent it ignites it with the result that a large volume of gas is instantly generated, the internal pressure inside'thegrenade is raised and as a result of the rise in pressurethe liquid charge in the grenade is forced out of the grenade by the atomizing or ejecting nozzle.

With the ordinary type of grenade it is absolutely necessary that the user throw it to a distance in order to avoid injury from' fiying fragments when the grenade is exploded by its bursting charge. With my invention' it is not necessary to throw the grenade unless it is so desired in order to reach distant targets. In ordinary cases where an oflicer of the law is close to an offender or where it is desired to overcome a riot or mob, or to drive a hidden criminal from his shelter, the grenade covered by my invention may safely be held in the hand of the officer and the liquid contents of the grenade sprayed in any desired direction7 or through any crack or opening into a criminals place vof concealment. Accordingly, the grenade may be correctly delined as a pistol hand-grenade.

In Figure l, A is the body of a grenade. Il a threaded throat or nipple attached to or integra-l with the grenade body. C is a vscrew cap for closing the opening into the body of the grenade. D is an anchor weight formed or firmly fastened in the bottom of the grenade body for the purpose of holding the grenade in an erect position. E is a well or sump to collect the last portions of the liquid charge and insure the complete ejection of all the liquid charge. F is a booster tube or sheath for housing the time fuse and gas generating compound. G is a nipple for supporting the fuse igniting percussion cap -fuse of approximatelyl live seconds burning Gil eoA

or primer, the lower end of which may be threaded at g to screw into the booster F and which may have the angular Shaped shoulder k `for screwing the nipple in place. I-I is a percussion cap or primer for igniting the time fuse when it is struck by the striker N. I is a timefuse positioned within the booster and fitting into the nipple Gr to be reached by the l'lame from the percussion 'cap so that it may be ignited therefrom, and it may be cemented in the nipple so as not to accidentally drop from position. J is an ignitable gas generating compound consisting.,1r of` a suitable gas pro-ducing mixture selected as judgment may dictate based upon the knowledge and skill of the person skilled in the art and the require' ments desired, and designed to be ignited from the fuse I. K is a shell or cartridge case for the reception of the gas generating compound positioned Within the booster and held therein by friction or a Suitable cement and which may have a flange ,7c to bear against the end of the booster and forming a closure to the otherwise open end of the booster to prevent liquid contents of the grenade contacting with the ignitable compound or the fuse. Whatever be the form ot' the closure to the end of the booster it will be ruptured or opened by the generated gas so that the gas may escape into the body of the grenade containing the agent to be ejected. L is an air pipe of an atomizing nozzle. M is a liquid conveying pipe to the atomizer nozzle. N is a striker or hammer for iiring the percussion cap or primer H. 0 is a coiled compression spring for actuating the striker or hammer. This spring is so applied that normally it is practically free from compression strains so that the spring is not weakened and deteriorated by constant compression strains and is only put under compression or active tension by retraction ot the hammer when and as the grenade is .to be used.

This results in great economy as it obviates the necessity of repairs and replacements to insure certainty and accuracy of operation when grenades are in storage for a relatively long period of time. P is a pivot pin upon which the striker or hammer is pivotally mounted. Q isa safety pin to hold the striker or hammer ont of contact with the percussion cap or primer when the grenade is not ready to be thrown. R is a bracket, frame or support on which the striker N, its actuating spring O, and the pivot pin P are mounted. It also serves as bearings for the safety pin Q.

In Figure, the dotted lines 'I show the atomizing nozzle set at an angle so as to produce. a rotary or whirling motion .of the grenade during the ejection of its liquid charge. This is of advantage as itv spreads or disseminates theatomized substance over a greater area in different directions; and if thc grenade be weighted as mentioned the weight tends to restore the grenade to an upright position and this together with the stated whirling movement causes the contents to be projected upwardly and downwardly as well as laterally.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 3, the body A-ofy the grenade has a cap or cup C1 made integral with or'brazed or otherwise made practically integral with the body and extending within the body as illustrated. This cap or cup supports the booster tube F which has a threaded enlargement or head F2 sothat it can he screwed into the cap. Above the head F2 is a member F3 which may be threaded into cup C and formed with a depending sleeve or collar F4 into which the fuse I will fit and be attached by a suitable cement or otherwise therein. Into the member F4 there is screwed the primer-nipple G with the upper end of the fuse I next thereto to receive the fiame from the percussion cap. To the lower end of the fuse is suitably attached the cartridge K1 that will contain the ignitable gas generating compound. The cartridge may be formed without the flange shown in Figure 1, and thc fuse and cartridge may be coated with a suitable liquid resisting composition so as to protect the cartridge and fuse from the action of the liquid contained in the grenade. The grenade will be provided with a striker or hammer N and co-operating parts as in Figure l, and may have a plainordinary type of ejecting nozzle M1 as illustrated. In this Jform of grenade, the cartridge and fuse are assembled with the primer-nipple and member carrying the fuse sleeve and then the parts screwedfinto the cup C to the position illustrated in Figure. By removing the primer-nipple and member carrying the fuse sleeve or collar another cartridge and fuse may be installed to take the place of the first installation.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated another form of grenade in which a longer time fuse may be used and in which the primer operating devices are disposed vertically instead of horizontally as in the other forms. In this form the grenade body A gan has a collar or sleeve C2 brazed or otherthe same as in the other forms, the hammer being arranged vertically but operating substantially as in the other forms. The fuse and the cartridge `will be coated with a suitable liquid resisting cement so as not to be affected by the liquid contents of thev grenade. The ejector nozzle is not shown in this form but it will be understood that it may be equipped with va nozzle, for instance, of the type illustrated in Figurey 3 of the drawing, or otherwise as desired. This form provides for a longer time fuse than is illustrated in the other forms. In operation it isV substantially the same as the other forms which illustrate the preferred forms. The ejection nozzle of the container will be provided with a suitable closure', for instance, an elastic cap S, or other form of closure, to prevent leakage or wastage of the liquid contents of the container. .This closure will be broken or removed by the pressure created in the container so that the contents may be expelled.

I have illustrated and described with particularity'the preferred details of the several parts but changes can be made without departing from some of the material features, and it will also be understood that the form of embodiment of the invention may be changed and essential features of the invention retained.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits what I claim is:

1. Thel method of producing a non-explosive created gas pressure in a container for ejecting a llquid or mobile agent from the container, consisting in placing within the container an ignitable substance possessing properties to generate a non-explosive created gas pressure sufficient to expel contents of the container without rupturing the container, and igniting the substance within the container to generate the expelling was. b 2. The method of forcibly ejecting liquid contents of a container, consisting 1n placing within the container holding the liquid, an ignitable substance possessing properties to generate a gas pressure sufficient to eject contents of the container without rupturing the container, and igniting the substance at a predetermined period of time to generate theexpelling gas.

3.- A container charged with a liquid, and self contained means for imparting an oscillatory movement to the container.

4. A container charged with a liquid and a gas generatin substance by means of which the liqui may be forcibly ejected from the container, and self contained means for imparting an oscillatory movement to the container in ejection of its contents. Y

5. A hand-grenade to receive a liquid and containinga.. gaseous substance adapted 05 upon lgnitlon to .generate a gas pressure sucient to eject the liquid withoutdisrup-ting the container, a ring mechanism including a hammer, and actuating spring, the

spring being normally free from a load and vplaced under tension only when the hamu the substance, a primer for igniting the fuse, and a nipple supporting the primer.

7. A hand-grenade to receive a liquid and containing -a ,gaseous substance adapted upon ignition to generate a gas pressure sufficient tov eject the liquid withoutdisrupting the container, a time fuse for igniting the substance, a primer for igniting the fuse, a nipple for supporting the primer, a hammer forA imparting a concussion to the primer, and means for normally holding the hammer from concussion contact with the primer.

8. A hand-grenade to receive a liquid and containing a gaseous substance adapted 4upon ignition to generate a gas pressure suiicient to eject the liquid without disrupting. the container, a tubular member supported from a part of the container, a time fuse fitting in said tubular member, a ear"- tridge at the lower end of the fuse containing a gas producing compound ignitable from the fuse, a primer adjacent the fuse for ignition of the fuse, and a concussionhammer positioned to act on the primer.

9. A hand-grenade comprising a container for a liquid, a removable cap to the container, a tubular member supported from the cap and extending into the container,

a fuse fitting in the tubular member, a cartridge at the lower end of the fuse and containing a gas produc-ing compound ignitable from the fuse, a. primer at one end of the fuse for ignition of the fuse, means for acting on the primer to effect ignition of the fuse, a member for imparting a concussion blow on the primer, and a nozzle through which the contents of the container are ejected by gas generated in the container from the gas producing compound.

10. A hand-grenade, comprising a container for a liquid. a fuse and ignitable` gaseous substance for creating a pressure within the container to expel its contents,

a delivery nozzle for the contents of the container, and self-contained means for causing an oscillatory movement of the container while its contents are being ejected.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE S. MAXWELL. 

